Tanya Eiserer is an investigative reporter at WFAA in Dallas, TX, specializing in investigative journalism.
She is a six-time Emmy-award winner and became a member of the WFAA investigative team in 2018.
In 2019, she won an Emmy for continuing coverage for her reporting on Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer who says she shot a man in his own home because she thought it was hers. Tanya was the first to obtain a copy of the 911 recording Guyger made in the moments after she shot Botham Jean. She also won an Emmy award in 2019 for her “Jailed to Death” series, which led to lawmakers to change how jailers are trained.
Tanya was honored with the Charles E. Green Award for Excellence in Journalism by The Headliners Foundation for coverage of the Atmos gas explosion that claimed the life of a little girl. She also has previously won an Emmy for her story that uncovered lapses in security at a local Army reserve bases and for her story about a rape victim’s quest for justice.
In 2018, she won a regional Murrow for her story about the “Family Secret.” Tanya traveled to San Quentin to meet her cousin who had spent almost two decades in prison for murder.
Tanya lives in Arlington. She has an 11-year-old son.
1) Who are you? I’m the oldest of four. I grew up on the Gulf Coast in Texas City. I am a political junkie, although I’ve never covered politics. I wanted to be a lawyer when I was a kid. I got bit by the journalism bug in high school and the rest is history. I spent 17 years as a newspaper reporter before joining WFAA in 2014. My friends would say I’m a bit cantankerous and rough around the edges. I speak my mind and do not mince words. But without a doubt, the most important thing that I am is a mom. My son is truly the best thing to ever happen to me.
2) What are your interests? I am a news junkie. The first thing I do in the morning and the last thing I do at night is keep up with what’s going on in the world. I’m interested in great story telling and getting people to care. I like good movies, food and wine. On the weekends, I spend with time with my son. You’ll find us at the water park, Six Flags, the movies or doing some other kid-friendly activity.
3) What do you like about working at WFAA? I like the people I work with most of all. They’ve made me strive to be a better storyteller and journalist every single day.
4) What's one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? I think they’d be surprised at just how low-key my life is outside of work. For me, a great evening is something as simple as having dinner with my kid and husband. They might also be surprised that I’m on the church council at my Episcopal church in Fort Worth.
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